FG Launches AgriShield Initiative to Protect Farmers, Boost Food Security

The Federal Government is strengthening the connection between national security and food security through the AgriShield Initiative, a programme designed to protect farmers, restore agricultural livelihoods and improve food production.

The initiative, led by the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), is being implemented in partnership with TAG International, with Borno State serving as the pilot location.

Special Adviser to the National Security Adviser on Strategic Communication and Civil Society Liaison, Dr Chido Onumah, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

Onumah said AgriShield was designed to enable farmers to safely access their farmlands, cultivate crops and transport their produce to markets without fear of insecurity.

According to him, the initiative seeks to translate security interventions into practical benefits for communities through safer livelihoods, agricultural recovery and a more secure national food supply.

He said the campaign, with the central message, “Our Presence is Your Peace,” would connect security interventions with the everyday experiences of farming communities.

A baseline survey conducted between June and July across 18 wards in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Jere and Mafa Local Government Areas covered 1,409 residents.

Onumah said only 17 per cent of respondents were aware of local initiatives to counter violent extremism, while about two per cent knew about the NCTC. However, 86 per cent expressed strong interest in receiving information about government security efforts.

The survey also identified unemployment, cost of living and food insecurity as major concerns for 81 per cent, 70 per cent and 57 per cent of respondents respectively.

Onumah said the findings demonstrated the need for government interventions that combine security with livelihood support, credible information and visible results.

The pilot campaign will run from October to December in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Jere and Mafa, using radio programmes, town hall meetings, community drama and testimonies from farmers and security personnel.

Four radio stations are expected to broadcast 24 talk shows and 80 jingles in Hausa and Kanuri, while six town hall meetings will provide opportunities for communities to engage directly with security representatives.

An endline survey will be conducted in December to assess changes in public awareness, trust and understanding of government security interventions.

Onumah said radio would play a major role in the campaign, as 67 per cent of survey respondents accessed information through the medium, while 41 per cent identified it as their most trusted information source.

Community and religious leaders will also participate, while Facebook, TikTok, SMS and telephone platforms will be used to reach young people and farmers with limited internet access.

The initiative involves several federal institutions, including the Nigeria Police Force, Defence Headquarters, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Services, Nigeria Immigration Service, National Orientation Agency and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria.

Others include the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution and NIRSAL Plc, alongside the Network of Civil Society Organisations in Borno State.

Onumah said inter-agency coordination would remain central to AgriShield, with communication focal points and an NCTC clearing house expected to ensure that information released to the public is accurate and consistent.

He added that operational claims would be verified by responsible agencies before publication, while sensitive security information would be protected.

“Farmers who feel protected are more likely to return to their fields. Communities that receive credible information are better placed to resist rumours, cooperate with authorities and report threats,” Onumah said.

He said AgriShield reflected the Federal Government’s position that food security and human security are interconnected, with the ultimate goal of creating safer communities where Nigerians can produce food without abandoning their land because of insecurity.